The world can seem a lot smaller with the infinite knowledge of the internet at our fingertips, something that becomes particularly obvious when making international applications, especially for university courses.

If you're applying for an overseas course and are doing it all via the World Wide Web, you should find it a reasonably stress-free experience so long as you keep the following advice in mind. Remember - it can be all too easy to miss an online application deadline- constant vigilance is key! So, it’s time to switch off your Twitter feed, put the dog outside and concentrate on completing an online application that'll get them falling at your feet!

1. Sounds simple, but... remember your logins!

The first step is ensuring you keep any login information you might need in a very safe - and, of course, memorable - place. If you lose any of those details, it could leave you cold, alone and locked out of your university application- not ideal, especially when you're close to a deadline.

The best thing to do is to write them all down and keep them somewhere secure, or, alternatively, email them to yourself. This way, you don’t waste any time (or worse) by losing vital information.

2. Ditch the distractions

Turn off the TV. No soap opera can save you now. Where the internet is concerned, your computer screen should only be filled with material relevant to your university application. That means no social networking and no YouTube videos. As innocuous as these might seem, and as much as you may feel you're in control, there will always be distractions trying to tempt you away. So ditch all those diversions and focus on getting that application completed!

3. Get a second opinion

It's always a good idea for you to ask loved ones and friends to read through your application once it's finished. Like most people, you'll probably feel a little uneasy having to 'toot your own horn' while completing such a complex document, and you can never be sure whether you've missed out some really important details, so it's vital that your application is seen by a fresh pair of eyes before you send it off.

For the application itself, ensure all the data and information relating to you and your background is entered carefully and read by someone else who can provide an objective view. This will ensure you have every opportunity to spot errors. Think about it: it doesn’t look good if you miss out those crucial details!

4. Save it or lose it!

Always always always save your work. ALWAYS. Every ten minutes. Or, better still, save it via the Cloud or a similar online storage space. When you’re faced with an online application for a course that could very well dictate the rest of your life, it is absolutely essential that you save your work on a regular, almost obsessive basis. Computers can freeze. There could a power cut. Don’t risk it.

5. Draft, draft and then draft again!

Finally, it's really important to write drafts of your application. Whether this means on paper (a little old-fashioned, perhaps) on a word processing platform like Word, by drafting up your application you are improving your work and putting yourself in a position where you can spot errors before they become cold-blooded application killers. Spend time drafting what you want to say in a personal statement for example, and you'll be guaranteed a much more professional and effective response overall.

Essentially, applying online for a course is mostly about preparation and concentration. It may seem ridiculously easy and quick, but if you don’t prepare carefully for the process you could find that karma comes back to bite you.